Hitting the Barre | Barrecore Cheshire

Barrecore is no joke. Seriously. Described to me as a cross between ballet, pilates and yoga, I thought it would be a walk in the park for my fast-sprintin’, heavy-liftin’ self. Little did I know that when I went to the newly-launched Barrecore studio in Alderley Edge I would soon be shaking and shuddering like not even CrossFit had done to me before..

The studio with its huge mirrors, barre, balls, and various weights and straps can be a little daunting, but it needn’t be. Sarah and Rachel at the Alderley branch were so welcoming that you felt right at home on your mat. Rachel was cheerful all while showing us movements that were somewhat uncomfortable for me, but her ease of movement gave me hope that with some time and persistence I, too, could be that graceful.

If you’re after the long, lean, dancer’s physique, this is the class for you. It will strengthen muscles without adding bulk; it works your cardiovascular system without impact or insane intensity. You will know how hard your body is working by the shaking of your limbs – I looked down whilst doing a sort of squat with a ball in between my legs on my tip-toes, only to see my calves involuntarily vibrating!

Though I may not have the flexibility of a dancer (clearly, comparing the photo of instructor Rachel and me, above) it’s an awesome workout to add into my routine for two reasons. One, a lot of work involves the hips, pelvis, and lower back, which are exactly the points I need to loosen off but also strengthen. The work also help with alignment and posture, which could be the symptoms or the contributing factors to my little flexibility issue. Two, many moves include holds and also minute movements which builds up lactic acid in the muscles. This is beneficial for me as it will help increase my lactate threshold, meaning my muscles won’t feel as tired when running long distance.

Fancy giving it a try? Alderley Edge is easily accessible by road or train from Manchester, or there are three central London locations. Elsewhere? No worries. You can even take the classes online. No excuses now!

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Welcome to That Squat Bot! I'm Sarah, and I run fast, lift heavy, and eat hard.

I'm a CrossFitter with a love for Olympic weightlifting (but a dislike of burpees). I'm a big eater and am always trying to cook up healthy and interesting meals. Constantly working towards becoming the best version of myself!

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